Visor retention system

ABSTRACT

The present invention generally relates to a retention system that could be used to install in the internal surface of face-shields ( 7 ), for example of motorcycle helmet&#39;s visors, several devices, like screens working as solar filters, anti-glare screens, antifog screens, anti-scratch screens or different types of screens or devices, without alter or modify the characteristics of the visor ( 10 ) on which they are applied. The screen and the visor itself are this way preserved from damages, alterations and/or early substitutions. Such a system is constituted by at least one screen ( 1 ) and at least one gasket ( 2 ) with adhesive characteristics that can make such screens removable and re-positionable. This system can be created exploiting the characteristics of some materials.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a re-positionable retentionsystem that could be used to install in the internal surface offace-shields, for example in motorcycle helmet's visors, several type ofdevices.

BACKGROUND ART

During the last years there was a real proliferation in type and thenumber of devices capable to facilitate and enhance the visibility whendriving with visor-equipped helmets. Such devices, usually having theshape and features suitable for a wide compatibility, (so-called“universal” models), are generally installed inside the visor using verytenacious adhesive materials that never allow the repositioning, orusing mechanical systems (ex. Pinlock, Pat. CA2640581) that needirreversible operations like drilling the visor itself.

In the case of screens or devices that employ tenacious or “permanent”adhesive materials, a particular care is required during theinstallation phase. These screens, when removed, suffer such alterationsof their own features that they cannot be utilized afterwards.

In the case of screens or devices that employ mechanical retentionsystems, as it's needed to permanently modify the visor, for example bydrilling it, then the functionality of the visor itself results often tobe compromised when utilized in its original configuration.

It's not therefore known, in the background art related to face-shields,a retention system that could allow the detachment and replacement ofscreens and devices without altering or modifying their own features orthe ones of the face-shield onto which they are applied.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a technical duty of the present invention to counterabove mentioned lacks and to satisfy hinted needs providing a systemthat could allow the detachment and replacement of screens and devicesaccessory to visors without altering or modifying their own features orthe ones of the face-shield onto which they are applied.

In this technical duty's field, it is another object of the presentinvention to preserve the visor itself and the accessory screens fromdamages and/or premature replacements.

It is yet another object of the present invention to improve theusability of such type of screens that can be this way employed onlywhen effectively needed and that can be therefore moved betweendifferent helmets' visors. The above mentioned duties and scopes arereached by the present retention system of the type that can be used toinstall, in the internal surface of face-shields (7), a variety ofdevices, like for example screens working as solar filters, anti-glarescreens, antifog screens, anti-scratch screens or different types ofscreens or devices. This system can be created exploiting thecharacteristics of some materials. The system comprises a gasket gluedto the screen near his own edges. Such a gasket can be built usingseveral materials like, for example, closed cells acrylic foam layers(like Very High Bond, VHB of 3M), or with a closed cells cross-linkedpolyethylene (like PEX or XLPE of Sekisui Alveo), or closed cellspolyurethane foam, or other similar materials, with the possibility ofadding adhesive layers of different composition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further details will ensue more clear and evident from the detaileddescription of some embodiments that are preferred, but not exclusive,of a removable retention system according to the invention, instanced asa sample in the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 visually represents, in a schematic prospective view, a retentionsystem, according to the invention, applicable on a protective helmet'svisor.

FIG. 2 visually represents, in a schematic prospective view, a retentionsystem according to the invention, applicable on a protective helmet'svisor, comprising a single gasket.

FIG. 3 visually represents, in a schematic prospective view, a retentionsystem according to the invention, applicable on a protective helmet'svisor, comprising a multi-layered gasket.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

-   -   The description of some examples of embodiment follows here:        -   In case there is the purpose of building a gasket (2)            (FIG. 2) of closed cells acrylic foam, for example using VHB            (Very High Bond) of 3M, it's to consider that is being            employed a material having high surface energy and intrinsic            adhesive features, that is self-conformable and that can            enhance the contact between surfaces; it's so possible to            proceed as follows. Step 1) Treat one of the two contact            surfaces (4) (FIG. 2) of the gasket with solvent or chemical            compounds that can attenuate the adhesive power, like for            example the product “Leva Etichette” of Talken Color or            other products with the same utilizing features. After the            treatment the surface will offer a weak tenacity adhesion            that will allow the screen removal, but that will be enough            to keep the screen itself or other devices into the intended            position (FIG. 2) and to allow its use during the common            conditions of employ. Step-2) Apply the gasket letting the            untreated surface (5) sticks to the screen (6) (FIG. 2).            Step-3) Apply the screen to the visor (10) letting the            treated surface (4) stick to the internal surface of visor            (7) (FIG. 2). The increment of efficiency of such system is            promoted by treating the involved surfaces (4)(7) with            isopropyl alcohol based solution and/or other analogous            compounds. To reach this scope, the suggested compounds are            those suitable for cleaning surfaces having optical features            and those suitable for enhancing adhesive features of            acrylic foams that have been previously treated with the            solvents and chemical compounds described into “Step-1)”.            The treatment with isopropyl alcohol based solution is the            system's main maintenance method, as it allows to recover            the adhesive features that tend to decrease after            installing/uninstalling repeated operations; however, any            type of solving compound or preparation that never releases            excessive residuals after his happened evaporation can be            used as an alternative to isopropyl alcohol based solution.        -   In case there is the purpose of building a gasket (2)            (FIG. 3) of polyethylene or polyurethane closed cells, it's            to mind that said material has no intrinsic adhesive            features, so it's necessary to proceed as follows. Step-1)            Treat the contact surface (5) (FIG. 3) of the gasket (2)            adding a strong tenacity adhesive layer, like for example an            FT126 Avery Dennison acrylic adhesive or other adhesives            having similar physical features. Treat the surface (4)            (FIG. 3) of the gasket adding a re-positionable weak            tenacity adhesive foam, like for example an FT130 Avery            Dennison acrylic removable adhesive or other adhesives            having similar physical features. Step-2) Apply onto the            re-positionable adhesive layer a second double-side adhesive            re-positionable gasket (3). Step-3) Apply the gasket letting            the side treated with strong tenacity adhesive (5) (FIG. 3)            stick to the surface (6) of the screen (1). Step-4) Apply            the screen to the visor letting the double-side adhesive            re-positionable gasket (3) to the visor (1) (FIG. 3). When            this system will start suffering the loss of efficiency of            the re-positionable adhesive, due to the repeated            installation and removals of the so built screen, it will be            possible to restore it just substituting the double-side            adhesive re-positionable gasket (3).        -   It constitutes a further possible embodiment of the            presented system the one in which the second gasket (3)            (FIG. 3) has a layer of strong tenacity adhesive in the side            that face the visor (10). In this case the gasket (3)            remains anchored to the visor (10) and the screen becomes            removable between the gasket (2) and the second gasket (3).            In this embodiment the gasket (2) (FIG. 3) can be built            using polyethylene, polyurethane or acrylic closed cells            foam.

The gasket's adhesive effect is promoted by further factors listed here:

-   -   -   The motorcycle and driving helmet's visors generally have a            bended shape and semi-rigid type (10) (FIG. 1), as they are            mainly produced by injection moulding or laminated material            thermoforming. The screens that are utilized with the visors            generally have flat shape and flexible type (1) (FIG. 1), as            they are mainly produced cutting laminated material. These            features create a bending differential that give off a            tension that can promote the efficiency of the gasket's            adhesive features between the two considered elements (the            screen and the visors).        -   The closed cells structure of the material of which it was            decided to build the gasket (2) can completely seal the            cavity (8) that is being created between the visor (10) and            the screen (1) (FIG. 2, FIG. 3). This feature, added to            above mentioned tensions, those created from the bending            differential between the visor (10) and the screen (1),            generates a depression inside the cavity promoting the            gasket's (2) adhesion features.

1. A retention system usable to install in the internal surface offace-shields (7), for example in motorcycle helmet's visors, severaltype of devices. The system includes at least one screen (1), held as asupport, at least in part, from the internal surface of the visor (7)trough at least one gasket (2) with adhesive characteristics. Suchsystem is characterized by the fact to be removable, re-positionable andreplaceable.
 2. A Retention re-positionable system according to claim 1that utilizes at least a gasket (2) capable of hermetically insulate thecavity (8) between the visor (10) and the screen (1).
 3. A Retentionre-positionable system according to claim 2 that comprises at least onescreen (1) composed, at least in part, of transparent plastic material.Such screen has flat shape/profile and is of a flexible type: so it canbe bended to follow the radius of curvature of the visor (10) and itsresistance to bending feature can promote a depressive phenomenon insidethe cavity (8).
 4. A Retention re-positionable system according to claim2 that comprises at least one screen (1) composed, at least in part, oftransparent plastic material. Such screen has a bended shape/profile andis of a flexible type: so it can be bended to follow the radius ofcurvature of the visor (10) and its resistance to bending feature canpromote a depressive phenomenon inside the cavity (8).
 5. A Retentionre-positionable system according to claim 1 that utilizes at least onegasket (2) having adhesive feature that could be enhanced treating thesurfaces with isopropyl alcohol or different compounds/preparations. 6.A Retention re-positionable system according to claim 1 that utilizes atleast one gasket (2) capable of hermetically insulate the cavity (8)between the visor (10) and the screen (1) and that utilizes at least adouble-sided re-positionable adhesive gasket (3) applied onto it.
 7. ARetention re-positionable system according to claim 6 whose double-sidedre-positionable adhesive gasket (3) can be substituted when the screen(1) has to be re-positioned onto the internal surface of the visor (10).8. A Retention re-positionable system according to claim 1 that utilizesat least one gasket (2) capable of hermetically insulate the cavity (8)between the visor (10) and the screen (1) and that utilizes at least adouble-sided adhesive gasket (3) applied onto the visor (10) incorrespondence of that gasket (2).